Nan Muxue watched the person beside her with unblinking intensity, her voice dripping with a drowning tenderness. "What brought on this sudden desire for wine today?" Seeing that the other woman didn't answer but instead poured another cup, she didn't grow angry. She simply reached out to stay her hand, a faint smile playing on her lips. "Not even a word for me?"
Chu Ruo stubbornly swallowed another cup before letting out a heavy sigh. "You won't tell me anything. I’m just drowning my sorrows..."
"...only for those sorrows to grow deeper."
"You—"
Nan Muxue reached out to caress her, leaning in close. "Are you angry?"
"I just don't know what you're planning this time."
Nan Muxue chuckled, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "Whatever I do, it is for us."
"I know. But every time you hide things from me, it’s because you’re planning to do something foolish. Like before, when you ran back to your death..."
A slender finger pressed against her lips. "No more of that."
Chu Ruo caught her hand and held it. "Then tell me the truth. Why did you call Fenghuang here? What are you up to?"
"Ruo’er..."
"Xue’er, didn't you say I wasn't allowed to lie to you?"
"And yet, you break that promise often."
Chu Ruo fumbled to touch the other woman's cheek. "We had a deal. No matter what happens, we face it together."
"It is *you* who is forbidden from lying to your Master..."
"Xue’er," Chu Ruo said, her voice uncharacteristically sharp with urgency. "Promise me. You aren't allowed to lie to me either. Do you hear me?"
Nan Muxue gazed into those eyes. Though they were sightless, they still seemed to hold her reflection. She kissed them softly. "Mhm."
Only then did Chu Ruo relax, pulling her beloved into a tight embrace. "You Little Scorpion, you always make me resort to this."
"You’ve certainly grown bold, daring to speak to your Master in such a way."
"Heh, it’s not like my boldness is a new development. You should have known that back at the Hundred Flowers Palace."
"Thick-skinned as ever."
"Xue’er~"
Whenever Chu Ruo used that wheedling, coquettish tone, Nan Muxue’s heart would melt. She held the girl close, ready to grant her every whim. "Fine. What is it now?"
"You still haven't answered my question. Why did you call Fenghuang?"
"Don't you want to marry me?"
This answer was clearly not what Chu Ruo expected. "You..."
Nan Muxue kissed her again—an action she had repeated countless times that day. "Once we reach Miaojiang, we will wed."
***
That night, in the depths of the silence, Chu Ruo suddenly spoke up. "What’s wrong? Not sleeping? Is it because your future husband is just too handsome to look away from?"
Normally, Nan Muxue would have offered a light scoff, but now she only smiled faintly, her fingers tracing Chu Ruo’s well-defined brows. "Go to sleep."
"What’s the matter with you?"
"I want to look at you. I want to look at my Ruo’er." She wanted to carve every detail of her into her mind, into her very soul. *Ruo’er, don't be afraid. After tonight, you will be able to see me again.*
Chu Ruo gave a somewhat silly grin and pulled the woman into her arms. She patted her gently, coaxing her like a child. "Can't sleep? Then I'll stay up with you."
"You should sleep."
"No. If my Xue’er isn't sleeping, I’m not sleeping. Let's talk."
Nan Muxue simply shook her head, the faint smile lingering. "Your eyes need rest."
"Do you usually stay awake at night just to sneak peeks at me? I bet you do. Actually, Xue’er, I used to sneak peeks at you too."
When the other didn't answer but only let out a soft chuckle, Chu Ruo grew defensive. "Really! Back when I first entered the Palace, I’d steal glances whenever you weren't looking. Back then, I thought, 'What a beautiful person this Little Scorpion is. If only she didn't have such a foul temper, didn't keep such a cold face, and didn't hit or scold me all the time, she’d be perfect.'"
"You truly are something. You don't remember the times I gave you extra meat, but you remember every punishment to this day. It seems you really are petty."
"How are you being the reasonable one here? You were the one punishing me! And that time you hit me—my hands were covered in wounds, they hurt for days! You—"
"I am your Master. Why should I not be allowed to discipline you?"
"There you go again, using that status to suppress me."
Nan Muxue arched an eyebrow. "I shall continue to do so in the future as well."
"You... you..."
"Besides, I was wearing a mask back then. How could you have known what I looked like? Your mouth is full of lies; not a word can be trusted."
"Hey, you just don't believe me! But it’s the truth. I was always watching you. The moment you turned your head, I’d look away." Chu Ruo chuckled as she spoke. "I think, even back then, I just didn't realize that a certain Little Scorpion had already found a place in my heart."
"Ruo’er~" Nan Muxue kissed her with deep emotion. When they parted, her breath was heavy. "Actually... I knew." Her lips brushed against Chu Ruo's. "I always knew you were watching."
"Nan Muxue, you really are the best sweet-talker in the world. What am I going to do? I can't live without you."
Nan Muxue leaned in to nip at her lip. "Then don't ever leave. Not for a lifetime..."
...
"Hehe, hehe..."
"What are you giggling about now?"
"I was just thinking... if your disciple had been a proper, honest, dull-witted fool, would we have ever ended up like this?"
"So you think your shamelessness is a virtue now?"
"You’re such a killjoy. You never play along. I’m not talking to you anymore; it’s a waste of breath. I’m going to get a drink of water."
"I'll—"
"Oh, just stay in bed. I know my way around this room well enough. Besides, if I need you even to pour a cup of water, how am I supposed to take care of you?" As Chu Ruo spoke, she gulped down several mouthfuls of water. Then, she brought another cup to the bedside. "Here. You’re usually the one feeding me; tonight, let me serve you for once."
Nan Muxue sat up. "You don't need to take care of me. I can—mmph!"
She was startled at first, then felt like laughing. Once the "feeding" was finished, she hooked her arm around Chu Ruo. "What was that for?"
"Erm, isn't that how you usually feed me my medicine? I’m just returning the favor."
"Your Master has no need for such things."
"It’s the first time I’ve ever fed you like that! Wife, if you liked it, just say so. You—"
"Either shut your mouth or get out."
"I choose the bed! Hehe, I choose you." She immediately rolled over and hugged her. "Mmm, my Xue’er is the most comfortable to hold."
Nan Muxue cooperated, pulling her into her embrace. "Sleep. I am right here."
Chu Ruo’s voice drifted off intermittently. "Xue’er, I’m a bit hungry. I want those meat pies from that shop you took me to in town."
"Tomorrow," Nan Muxue replied. *Once your eyes are restored.* "I’ll take you there tomorrow."
"Mhm," Chu Ruo yawned. "I wonder how that litter of puppies we saw is doing. They felt so chubby and soft. I wonder if they’re still there."
Nan Muxue felt a wave of drowsiness washing over her. "Alright. We’ll do whatever you want tomorrow. If you like them, we’ll buy them all."
Chu Ruo was still murmuring, "Xue’er, we..."
Nan Muxue felt a vague sense that something was wrong, but the sleepiness hit her with such sudden, overwhelming force that she lost the ability to think. Just before falling under, she gripped Chu Ruo’s sleeve tightly.
***
The next day.
As feared, Chu Ruo was gone.
She hadn't guessed wrong; this time, she had left on her own. She had figured out that Fenghuang was there to perform an eye transplant. Knowing she couldn't change Nan Muxue’s mind, she had fled.
When a pale-faced Xiao Guo’er, trembling with the knowledge of her mistake, knelt on the ground and told Nan Muxue and the others that Chu Ruo had asked for a sedative the night before—claiming she couldn't sleep—Nan Muxue’s fury finally erupted in front of everyone.
*Crash! Bang!*
In her rage, she swept everything off the table. Cups and teapots shattered into a thousand shards. Auntie Gui and Auntie Shen, hearing the commotion, rushed in to see what was wrong. Despite having lost all her martial arts, Nan Muxue slammed her fist into the wooden table with such raw, sudden force that it punched straight through the wood. Her hand was instantly covered in blood.
Old Madam Hua and Fenghuang shook their heads, sighing. "Do not be so frantic..."
"Bring Ruo’er back!" Nan Muxue commanded.
Waking up to find the space beside her empty and realizing the tea she drank had been laced with sedatives, her fury was absolute. She was enraged, devastated. She had never maintained any guard against her, yet she... once was enough, but twice? Always doing something so foolish. And of all the times to be clever, she chose now.
*Chu Ruo! How could you! How dare you! This time, I will never forgive you!*
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Master, Spare My Life: A Disciple's Sweet Rebellion | Chapter 154 | A Deceptive Departure | Novela.app | Novela.app
